Stake extracting apparatus



A ril 18, 1967 w. R. PETVERSON 3,314,229

STAKE EXTRACTING APPARATUS Filed July 14, 1966' 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Fig.1

INVENTOR W\LL \AM R. PETERSON wim g Y ZZZU .%,WEJ4 $9M ATTORNEYS.

P 1967 w. R. PETERSON 1 STAKE EXTRACTING APPARATUS Filed July 14, 1966 4Sheets-Sheet 2 7 2s l6--i INVENTOR WlLLlAM R. PETER5ON ATTORNEY-5'- 4Sheets-Sheet (5 W. R. PETERSON STAKE EXTRACTING APPARATUS \NVENTORWIL..L\AM R. PET ERSON om mm iifiii April 18, 1967 Filed July 14, 1966 amm M! B 54 A5 15 gym; ATTORNEY-5'.

A ril 18, 1967 w, R. PETERSON 3,314,229

STAKE EXTRACTING APPARATUS Filed July 14, 1966 4 Sheets-Sheet L Fig. 9

\NVENTOR- WILLUAM R. PETERSON Z%;%% 9 x PM ATTORNEY United States Patent3,314,229 STAKE EXTRACTING APPARATUS William R. Peterson, Bucks County,Pa., assignor to the United States of America as represented by theSecretary of the Army Filed July 14, 1966, Ser. No. 565,327 10 Claims.(Cl. 60-26.11)

This application is a continuation-in-part of co-pending applicationSer. No. 411,650, filed Nov. 16, 1964, now Patent No. 3,283,501.

This invention relates to stake extracting apparatus, and moreparticularly to a stake extracting apparatus adapted for use upon stakesembedded in earth to varying degrees.

Standard initiators having a single cartridge for supplying a set amountof gas pressure have been employed to operate the firing mechanism ofother cartridge actuated devices. Variations in environmental conditionshave established a need for an initiator capable of supplying gaspressures of varying selective amounts. One such condition is that of astake that has been driven into earth for temporarily holding heavyordnance equipment during operation thereof and has to be withdrawn forsubsequent mobilization of the equipment. The stake could be driven intosoft spongy earth, into frozen earth or into earth of varyingintermediate conditions, each condition requiring a different amount ofenergy or gas pressure for the stake removal operation.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide stake extractingapparatus having fluid pressure generating media which is capable ofsupplying a selected one of different amounts of fluid pressure forextracting stakes embedded in earth to varying degrees.

Another object of the invention is to provide such apparatus having amultiple firing initiator selectively operated by a single actuatingmeans.

In one aspect of the invention the stake removal apparatus has means forclamping an embedded stake, a pressure driven element connected to theclamping means, a multiple firing initiator communicatively connectedwith the element and having a plurality of gas generating caselesscartridges, and means for successively igniting selected ones of thecartridges.

These and other objects, features and advantages will become apparentfrom the following description and associated drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view partially in section of a preferredarrangement embodying the principles of the invention.

FIGS. 2 and 3 are opposed end views taken from the forward and rearwardextremities of a multiple firing initiator of the FIG. 1 arrangement.

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the structure of FIGS. 2 and 3.

FIG. 5 is substantially an enlarged sectional view taken along line 55of FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 66 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is a side elevational section view of another form of multiplefiring initiator.

FIG. 8 is a partial sectional view of certain parts in the arrangementof FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view partially broken away showing the variousparts of FIG. 7 in bolt retracted position.

FIGS. 10 and 11 are transverse sectional views taken along lines 1010and 11-11 of FIG. 7.

The stake removal or extracting apparatus, shown generally at 102 (FIG.1), has a plurality of supports or legs 103, at least three or four innumber, which rest upon the terrain or earth 104 adjacent the selectedstake 105 to be removed. The upper end of support means 103 isappropriately secured to a pressure cylinder 106 whose base in aperturedto slidingly and sealingly receive rod 107 that interconnects sealedpiston 108 with an extractor clamping unit 109 having suitable clampingjaws for engaging each stake 105 beneath its head 105A.

The lower portion of cylinder lateral surface 111 is appropriatelyapertured to sealingly connect the free end of conduit 24 leading fromthe forward housing portion of a multiple firing initiator 101 of FIGS.2-6, or conduit 58 of the FIG. 7 initiator, with the gas pressureaccumulation chamber 112 below or behind the piston 108 which will bedriven upwardly when suflicient energy is supplied to remove the desiredstake 105. The upper wall portion of cylinder 106 has a hole 113 forventing upper chamber 114 to the atmosphere, and a similar vent hole ispredeterminedly located at a suitable elevation in cylinder Wall 111 forexhausting the developed pressure fluid at the termination of the pistonupward movement. Depression of manually operated relief valve 116enables the raised piston to descend on its return stroke to permitrepetitive stake removal operations.

The multiple firing initiator of FIGS. 2-4 includes a main body portionor housing 101 and a cup member 12 coupled thereto by an appropriateassembly ring apparatus 13. Preferably housing body 101 is of moldedconstruction and formed with a predetermined number of combustionchambers 14, (FIG. 5) each equidistantly spaced from the initiatorcentral longitudinal axis as well as from its circumferentially adjacentchambers, such that their respective longitudinal axes are located on aring concentric to the central longitudinal axis. Each of the chambers 1has a rearwardly opening tubular sidewall construction having a rearwardinternal end portion which is suitably recessed to properly seat a,preferably caseless, cartridge round of ammunition 15. Each cartridge isprovided with a centrally located suitable primer 16 aligned with andjuxtapositioned forwardly of a respective aperture 17 in retainingmember 16. Preferably, a T- shaped filter member 19 is threadedly seatedin an axial opening 20 extending from the forwardmost portion of eachchamber into respective radial tube portions 21, and by which eachchamber is interconnected with a central outlet 22. Outlet 22 isappropriately bevelled and threaded such that a flanged nut 23 serves tosealingly attach thereto flared tubular fluid accumulation media ormeans 24 for delivering pressure fluid to pressure accumulation chamber112. The stem of each T-filter has a forward end portion normallyreceiving a one way ball check valve 25 when the latter is urged orbiased to its seat by spring 26.

The cap member 12 preferably is molded with a plurality of forwardlyopening cylinders 27 each arranged for alignment with a respectivecombustion chamber. The forward or inner face of the cap member issuitably formed with a circular protuberance or projection 28 to receiveannular or ring-like indexing plate 29 which normally covers theaperture 17 in retaining member 18 and normally closes off the forwardend of each cylinder 27. Within each cylinder 27 a spring loaded firingpin 30 is provided which is normally held in its cocked position byindexing plate 29.

The cap member 12 has a transversely extending hollow cylindrical boss31 (FIG. 6) containing a slidable plunger 32 therein. The outermostportion of the plunger has secured thereto a recessed button 33 which isslidably positioned upon boss 31 and normally biased outwardlytherealong by a plunger spring 34 appropriately seated about the plungeragainst an internal flange within the boss 31. The enlarged inner end 35of the plunger is pro vided with a pawl 36 which is biased by a suitableleafspring 37 to engage the first of a successive series ofcircumferential notches 38 located within a predetermined are along theinducing plate periphery. A similar series of notches or teeth '39 areprovided on the diametrically opposed indexing plate peripheral surfacefor successive engagement by a similar but stationary spring biased pawlor dog 40. As will become apparent the indexing plate 29 functions as aratchet wheel when the plunger 32 and button 33 are depressed, with pawl40 holding the indexing plate against movement when the button andplunger are released and pawl 36 is withdrawn to enter the next oradjacent notch.

The indexing plate 29 is formed with a plurality of holes or slots 41,42, 43, 44, 45, 46, each of predetermined size and location upon theplate. The respective angularly spaced arcuate slots or openingssuccessively and transversely subtend angles of decreasing dimensionsand each slot is radially equidistant from the rotational axis of theindexing plate. Each of the respectively successive slots is radiallyaligned with its corresponding firing pin as well as being angularlyoffset therefrom respectively successive increasing distances, such thatselective repeated actuation of the plunger button will successivelymove selected slots into their corresponding firing position alignmentor firing pin registration for ignition of the corresponding alignedcartridge. Thus, depending on the selected number of desired cartridgeignitions, a selected one of varying amounts of gas pressure from theignited cartridge may be developed, each pressure chamber gas exitingpast or through its filtering screw 19 and ball check valve 25.

In the arrangement of FIG. 7 the multiple firing initiator includes amain body portion or housing shown generally at 51 which contains a lostmotion type mechanism for moving or positioning of and firing caselesscartridge ammunition rounds. Preferably, the housing is substantially ofcylindrical tubular construction having threaded ends 52, 53 forrespectively having secured thereto a centrally apertured retaining cap54 and a combustion chamber element 55. The forward end wall of thechamber is formed with a reduced threaded extension 56 having a centralpassageway 57 therethrough communicating with the chamber interior.Flared tubular fluid accumulation media or means 58, for deliveringpressure fluid to the pressure accumulation chamber 112, and extension56 are connected by flanged nut 59. Threadedly seated in the entrance toaxial passageway 57 is a T-shaped filter member and the chamber interioris provided with a conical tapered flange '60 for seating the cartridgeprior to ignition thereof.

Appropriately connected to the housing is a magazine 61 containing aplurality of caseless cartridges 62 biased upwardly by spring 63 and aninverted cup member 64 [for successive movement into the housinginterior when the positioning and firing mechanism is retracted as shownin FIG. 9 by an actuator 65 extending rearwardly through apertured cap54. As will become apparent, release of actuator 65 allows the mechanismto return to its FIG. 7 position as the inserted cartridge is properlyseated (dotted lines) immediately prior to ignition.

The lost motion positioning and firing mechanism includes an outer boltmember 66 normally slidably biased by spring 67 to its forward positioninterrupting communciation between the housing interior and magazinecartridges 62. Bolt 66 has an axial rearward pliable or spreadablecollet type clamp extension 68 which when normally contracted has aninwardly directed flange 69 for abutment with the rearward surface ofhead 7 formed on the forward end of actuator shaft 65. When bolt 66 ismoved to its rearward limit, collet clamp 68 will spread when itcontacts conical tapered abutment 54A on retaining cap 54. Bolt 66 is ofsubstantial cylindrical configuration and its rearward lower sidewall isformed with a trapezoidal shaped opening 71 for normally retainingtherein the free end of a cocking finger 72 pivotally mounted onsuitable journals 75 in mating transverse openings in an innercylindrical bolt member 74 which is slidably mounted within bolt 66. Asseen in FIG. 10,

cocking finger 72 is bifurcated or centrally slotted at or from its freeend so as to overlie or slidably receive the rear portion 75 of firingpin 76. The rear portion of inner bolt 74 is slotted at 77 to receivefinger 72 and firing pin portion 75, the latter being supported by itshorizontal pins 81, 81 slidably positioned in longitudinal slots 82, 82of the inner bolt 74 transversely intersecting vertical walls of slot 77and by a lower central rearwardly extending portion 78 of intermediateinner bolt portion 79 which is integrally connected to the forwardportion of inner bolt '74 by members 80, 80 (FIG. 11) at a locking pinslotted area thereof to be hereinafter described. The forward portion ofinner bolt 74 has a sealing piston 83 threadedly secured thereto andthese parts are appropriately apertured to slidingly receive firing pin76 in addition to being recessed for accommodating firing pin flange 84and its forwardly biasing spring 85. Piston 83 has both internal andexternal O-ring seals 86 to prevent backward flow therepast of pressuregas.

Outer bolt 66 is provided with opposed pairs of longitudinally extendingoffset slots 87 (FIGS. 8, 11) to receive and cam respective outwardlydirected lateral pins or extensions 88 formed on bifurcated locking pins89 which is vertically slidable between the opposed inner boltconnecting members 80, 80 from its upper, inner bolt locking position toits lower unlocked position. The locking pin 89 has a conically taperedupper end portion 99 which is cammed by outer bolt slot 87 upwardly intoa predetermined mating internel recess in the main body portion when theouter bolt 66 is in or near its forwardmost position.

With the parts in their forwardmost position (FIG. 7), rearward movementof actuator 65 carries therewith outer bolt 66, pivoting cocking fingers'72 clockwise about journal 73 and thereby withdrawing or rearwardlymoving firing pin 76 relative to the inner bolt 74 and locking pin 89structures, compressing spring and lowering or releasing the locking pin89. Continued rearward movement of bolt 66 moves the inner bolt andfiring pin arrangement rearwardly, permitting loading of an adjacentcaseless cartridge 62 into the housing interior, and when bolt 66reaches its rearward limit (FIG. 9) with its collet clamp '63 spreadoutwardly by conical abutment 54A, the fully compressed spring 67rapidly drives the parts forwardly in substantially reverse order tomove the cartridge 62 to its seat 60 immediately prior to ignitionthereof when the firing pin 76 strikes the percussion sensitive, fullycombustible cartridge primer 91 as the parts all return to their FIG. 7position.

Repeated actuation of the FIG. 7 gas generating apparatus will ignitethe next adjacent cartridges in succession, until the desired gaspressure has been developed.

Various modifications, alterations or changes may be resorted to withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention as defined in the appendedclaims.

I claim:

1. In a stake removal apparatus having means for clamping an embeddedstake,

a cylinder having an apertured lower wall portion, a

piston vertically slidable in said cylinder and actuated by varyingselective amounts of developed pressure gas,

a rod extending through said apertured wall portion and interconnectingsaid piston with said clamping means,

at least one of said piston and wall portion having a boss to normal-1yplace said piston in a lowest position defining with said wall portion apressure accumulation chamber,

exhaust port means in side wall portions of said cylinder for limitingthe maximum stroke of said piston and for permitting the return of saidpiston to its normal lower position,

a multiple firing initiator communicatively connected with said pressurechamber and having a plurality of gas generating caseless cartridges,and

means for successively igniting selected ones of said cartridges.

2. The structure of claim 1 wherein said initiator includes a housingcontaining a plurality of combustion chambers each having at a rearmostlocation therein a loaded cartridge and primer therefor,

means communicatively connected with each of said chambers forcollecting gas generated therein,

a plurality of firing pins correspondingly aligned with said cartridgeprimers, a spring forwardly biasing each of said pins,

an indexing plate rotatable about a longitudinal axis and normallyrestraining the force of said pin strings, said indexing plate having aplurality of angularly spaced openings therethrough each radicallyaligned with an angularly offset from a corresponding fin'ng pin,

a retainer plate between said indexing plate and said primers and:having a plurality of apertures each longitudinally aligned withcorresponding pairs of said pins and primers, and

means for selectively advancing ones of said openings into registrationwith its corresponding firing pin.

3. The arrangement of claim 1 in which said initiator includes a housingcontaining a plurality of combustion chambers each having at a rearmostlocation therein a loaded cartridge and primer therefor,

means communicatively connected by one way valve means with each of saidchambers for collecting gas generated therein,

a cap member secured to said housing and containing a plurality offiring pins correspondingly aligned with said cartridge primer, a springforwardly biasing each of said pins,

an indexing plate rotatable about a longitudinal axis and normallyrestraining the force of said pin springs, said indexing plate having aplurality of angularly spaced openings therethrough each radiallyaligned with and angularly ofiset from a corresponding firing p aretainer plate between said indexing plate and said primers and having aplurality of apertures each longitudinally aligned with correspondingpairs of said pins and primers, and

means for successively moving selected ones of said openings intoregistration with its corresponding firing pin.

4. The structure in accordance with claim 3 wherein said one way valvemeans each includes a ball check valve and seat therefor at the forwardend of each chamber, and a spring normally biasing each ball valveagainst its seat.

5. The structure defined in claim 3 in which said openings successivelyand transversely subtend angles of decreasing dimensions.

6. The structure set forth in claim 3 wherein said successively movingmeans includes a transversely oriented plunger, a spring biasing saidplunger away from said indexing plate, and notch and pawl meansinterconnecting said indexing means with said plunger.

7. The structure of claim 1 wherein said initiator includes a housingcontaining a combustion chamber for receiving caseless cartridge meansand substantially combustible primer means thereof,

means communicatively connected with said chamber for collecting gasgenerated therein,

a firing pin slidably mounted within said housing for striking saidprimer means, a spring forwardly biasing said pin,

means for moving said pin rearwardly in opposition to said spring tocock said pin,

a plurality of caseless cartridges each having a primer therefor andbiased for successive movement into said chamber,

said pin moving means including means slidably mounted within saidhousing for movement between a forward position interruptingcommunication between intermediate said chamber and cartridges and arearward non-interrupting position clear of said cartridges,

means forwardly biasing said movement means, and

means for moving said movement means in opposition to said forwardlybiasing means.

8. The structure in accordance with claim 7 wherein said pin movingmeans includes lost motion means.

9. A multiple firing for use as a gas generator comprisa housingcontaining a combustion chamber for receiving caseless cartridge meansand substantially combustible primer means thereof,

means communicatively connected with said chamber for collecting gasgenerated therein,

a firing pin slidably mounted within said housing for striking saidprimer means, a spring forwardly biasing said pin,

means for moving said pin rearwardly in opposition to said spring tocock said pin,

a plurality of caseless cart-ridges each having a primer therefor andbiased for successive movement into said chamber,

said pin moving means including means slidably mounted within saidhousing for movement between a forward position interruptingcommunication between intermediate said chamber and cartridges and arearward non-interrupting position clear of said cartridges,

means forwardly biasing said movement means, and

means for moving said movement means in opposition to said forwardlybiasing means,

10. The structure in accordance with claim 9 wherein said pin movingmeans includes lost motion means.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,096,619 10/1937 Prince 26.l1 2,144,893 1/1939 Parker 91-189 X 2,207,635 7/1940Nardone 6039.47

FOREIGN PATENTS 969,930 5/1950 France. 628,795 11/1961 Italy.

MARTIN P. SCHWADRON, Primary Examiner.

ROBERT R. BUNEVICH, Examiner.

1. IN A STAKE REMOVAL APPARATUS HAVING MEANS FOR CLAMPING AN EMBEDDEDSTAKE, A CYLINDER HAVING AN APERTURED LOWER WALL PORTION, A PISTONVERTICALLY SLIDABLE IN SAID CYLINDER AND ACTUATED BY VARYING SELECTIVEAMOUNTS OF DEVELOPED PRESSURE GAS, A ROD EXTENDING THROUGH SAIDAPERTURED WALL PORTION AND INTERCONNECTING SAID PISTON WITH SAIDCLAMPING MEANS, AT LEAST ONE OF SAID PISTON AND WALL PORTION HAVING ABOSS TO NORMALLY PLACE SAID PISTON IN A LOWEST POSITION DEFINING WITHSAID WALL PORTION A PRESSURE ACCUMULATION CHAMBER, EXHAUST PORT MEANS INSIDE WALL PORTIONS OF SAID CYLINDER FOR LIMITING THE MAXIMUM STROKE OFSAID PISTON AND FOR PERMITTING THE RETURN OF SAID PISTON TO ITS NORMALLOWER POSITION, A MULTIPLE FIRING INITIATOR COMMUNICATIVELY CONNECTEDWITH SAID PRESSURE CHAMBER AND HAVING A PLURALITY OF GAS GENERATINGCASELESS CARTRIDGES, AND MEANS FOR SUCCESSIVELY IGNITING SELECTED ONESOF SAID CARTRIDGES.